Ask a Beaver Librarian
LionSearch
Quick Search
LionSearch is our version of Google. You can use LionSearch to search for books, videos, and articles all at the same time. You can also focus your search using the options on the left of your results list.
LionSearch can be helpful for researching culture, language, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, identity, immigration, globalization, and so on, for all of your various projects.
Helpful keywords may include: history, social life, or customs.
Try combining keywords, such as:
Netherlands AND immigration 1850s (combine keywords/concepts with capital AND, OR, or NOT)
"Dutch culture" (search for phrases by adding double quotes (" "))
Polish immigrants to Pittsburgh (possible search strategies include the name of the country ("Poland"), as well as the name for its people ("Polish"))
(Italy OR Italians) AND immigration AND "Western Pennsylvania" (combine all strategies)
Research Your Family Through Records
- Ancestry Library Edition This link opens in a new windowWhere did your family live when the decennial censuses were taken? Do you have enlisted family members in your family's past? Are their records of their immigration to the US? Discover answers to these questions using Ancestry (Library Edition).
International genealogy resources
- FamilySearch WikiThe content will vary, of course. but typically they'll offer tips for getting started with an extensive list of resources grouped by category (birth records, census, newspapers, etc...)
Most pages included a big blue "online records" link.
Many countries have a link for Census resources.
Genealogy and Family Tree Makers
- Genealogy and Family History Research GuideUse this guide to learn more about getting started with genealogical research.
Family Tree Makers (Free)
- Ancestry Family TreesClick "Sign In" and "sign up" to get started creating your family tree. Site will connect you to freely-available records with "hints." Otherwise, use what you learned from the library's subscription to Ancestry Library Edition (link above) to fill in your family tree. Use the print icon to save your family tree to share in your presentation.
- FamilyEchoSimple form-based family tree maker. Use the print icon at the bottom to save your tree and share in your presentation.
- Cyndi's List: Online Family TreesComprehensive list of online family tree makers, both free and paid.
Find Your Family in the News
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 1786-2003 [Full Page Reproduction] This link opens in a new windowSearch for early mentions of your ancestors as the settle west of the Alleghenies.
- Pittsburgh Courier, 1911-2010 [Full Text Reproduction] This link opens in a new window20th century Pittsburgh news.
- Historical News SourcesUse this to find another local news sourse if you don't have roots in Pennsylvania, Ohio, or New Jersey.